Miniature rose plant named `Ruilovel`

ABSTRACT

A distinctive cultivar of miniature rose plant named `Ruilovel`, characterized by its very large light pink flowers with numerous petals; medium green glossy leaves; strong rooting habit; and excellent postproduction longevity and garden performance.

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of theminiature rose class, botanically known as Rosa hybrida, and hereinafterreferred to by the cultivar name Ruilovel. The new cultivar will bemarketed under the trade name Lovely Cupido.

The new cultivar is a product of a planned breeding program conducted bythe inventor in Hazerswoude, The Netherlands. The objective of thebreeding program was to develop compact pot rose varieties with noveland attractive flower colors and excellent postproduction longevity andgarden performance. The new cultivar originated from a cross made by theinventor in 1992 of two unnamed proprietary seedlings. The cultivarRuilovel was discovered and selected by the inventor as a floweringplant within the progeny of the stated cross in a controlled environmentin Hazerswoude, The Netherlands.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar by cuttings taken atHazerswoude, The Netherlands, has shown that the unique features of thisnew miniature rose plant are stable and reproduced true to type insuccessive generations of asexual reproduction.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe the unique characteristics of `Ruilovel`. These characteristics incombination distinguish the new miniature rose plant as a new anddistinct cultivar:

1. Very large light pink flowers with numerous petals.

2. Medium green glossy leaves which provide a striking contrast to thelight pink flower color.

3. Strong rooting habit.

4. Excellent postproduction longevity.

5. Excellent garden performance.

The new miniature rose plant has not been observed under all possibleenvironmental conditions. The phenotype may vary significantly withvariations in environment such as temperature and light level, without,however, and variance in genotype.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying colored photographs illustrate typical specimens of thevegetative growth and flowers of the new miniature rose plant, showingthe colors as true as it is reasonably possible to obtain in coloredreproductions of this type.

The photograph on the first sheet comprises a top perspective view of atypical plant of the new miniature rose plant grown in Hazerswoude, TheNetherlands.

The photograph on the second sheet comprises details of the newminiature rose plant. In this photograph the apex of a young shoot (1);a leaf with three leaflets (2); a leaf with five leaflets (3); a leafwith seven leaflets (4); a stem without leaves (5); a flower bud aftersepals open (6); a flower bud after petals begin to unfurl (7); a flowerone-half open (8); and a flower fully open (9) are shown. Flower andfoliage color in these photographs may appear different from the actualcolors due to light reflectance.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The following observations, measurements, values, and comparisonsdescribe plants grown in Hazerswoude, The Netherlands, under glasscovering with average day temperatures of 20°C., average nighttemperatures of 16 to 18°C., and an average light level of 2,000 J/cm².

In the following description, color references are made to The R. H. S.Colour Chart except where general terms of ordinary dictionarysignificance are used.

Classification:

Botanical.--Rosa hybrida cultivar Ruilovel.

Commercial.--Miniature pot rose.

Parentage:

Male or pollen parent.--Unnamed proprietary seedling.

Female or seed parent.--Unnamed proprietary seedling.

Propagation:

Type.--Terminal or stem cuttings.

Time to rooting.--8 to 10 days with soil temperatures of 20° C.

Rooting habit.--Propagates easily, roots strong and well-branched.

Plant description:

Form.--Rounded form, uniform, amd spreading.

Growth habit.--Moderately vigorous, yet compact. Freely branching anddense growth. Suitable for 10-cm containers. Time to produce a finishedplant in a 10-cm container 20 to 30 cm in height and 20 to 25 cm inwidth is generally 10 to 12 weeks depending on average temperature,light level, and cultural practices.

Stem and lateral branches.--Quantity of lateral branches from pinching:Typically three. Length of lateral branches: 1 to 5 cm. Diameter oflateral branches: 1 to 2 mm. Internode length: 0.5 to 1.5 cm. Color:137C.

Foliage description.--Leaves arranged alternately, compound with threeto seven leaflets per leaf, generally symmetrical, abundant, and flat inaspect. Stipules at petiole base. Quantity of leaves: Five to eight perlateral branch. Leaflet length: 1.2 to 2.6 cm. Leaflet width: 1 to 1.7cm. Shape: Ovate with acute apex and obtuse base. Margin: Serrate.Texture: Smooth and leathery. Petiole length: 1.4 to 1.9 cm. Petiolediameter: About 1 mm. Color: Young foliage, upper side: 144A with 59B atmargin. Young foliage, under side: 138B with overtones of 59B and narrow59B margin. Mature foliage, upper side: 137B. Mature foliage, underside: 139C. Petiole, upper side: 137C with 59B at edge. Petiole, underside: 137C.

Prickles.--Sparse. Length: About 4 mm. Color: 60D.

Flower description:

Flower type and habit.--Very large light pink flowers with numerouspetals. Consistently symmetrical rosette flowers that are flat inaspect. Freely and continuously flowering. The flowers are borne singlyon peduncles with usually one or two flowers per lateral stem. Petalspersistent.

Flowering season.--Year-round under greenhouse conditions, optimalflowering from spring through autumn under garden conditions.

Flower diameter.--About 4 cm.

Flower depth (height).--About 1.3 cm.

Flower longevity on plant.--About 12 days.

Fragrance.--Absent.

Flower buds.--Shape: Ovoid. Length: 1.5 to 2.2 cm. Diameter: 5 to 7 mm.Color: 137C with tones of 60C.

Petals.--Quantity: About 90 per flower. Typically about 18 rows withfive petals each. Length: 1.4 to 1.9 cm. Width: 0.4 to 1.8 cm. Shape:Ovate with acute to pointed apex. Margin: Entire. Texture: Smooth andsatiny. Color: Upper side, when opening: 36B. Under side, when opening:36A. Upper side, fully opened: 36 B; 62C towards base Under side, fullyopened: 36A; 62C towards base Fade: Color fades to light pink then towhite.

Petaloids.--Quantity: about 15 per flower. Arrangement: About three rowsof five petaloids each. Length: About 4 mm. Width: About 2 mm. Margin:Entire. Texture: Smooth and satiny. Color: Immature: 52C. Mature: 52B.

Sepals.--Quantity: Typically five per flower. Shape: Narrowly ovate withacute tip. Texture: Pubescent. Color: Upper side: 137D/144C/137B. Underside: 144C/137B.

Calyx.--Length: About 5 mm. Diameter: About 5 mm. Shape: Funnel.

Peduncles.--Strength: High. Aspect: Erect. Length: 1.5 to 4 cm. Color:143B.

Reproductive organs.--Stamens: Quantity: About 20 per flower. Anthersize: About 1 mm. Anther shape: Oblong. Anther color: 60A. Pistils:Quantity: 25 to 35 per flower. Style length: 3 to 6 mm. Style color:145C/145D.

Disease resistance: Plants have not been shown to be exceptionallytolerant to Powdery Mildew.

Seed production: Seed production is rarely observed.

It is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct miniature rose plant named`Ruilovel`, as illustrated and described.